Emerald ash borer is a small, metallic-green beetle whose larvae tunnel under the bark of ash trees and cut off the flow of water and nutrients. Untreated ash trees usually die within a few years of becoming infested. All of York County is inside Maine’s emerald ash borer quarantine,[1] and in 2026 the Maine Forest Service reported ash dieback and mortality throughout the southern part of the state.[2]
Emerald ash borer has been confirmed in Kittery.[3]
How we protect ash trees in Kittery
Injected treatments travel up through the tree’s vascular system, so they work best on ash trees with a mostly full canopy. Trees that are already declining may keep declining through the first year after treatment, then usually improve in the second.[4]
When to treat
- Mid-May to early JuneThe recommended window for emamectin benzoate trunk injection. In research, one injection controlled emerald ash borer for at least two years.[4]
- SummerA good time to look closely at ash canopies. Thinning at the top of the crown is often the first visible sign.
- Fall and winterPlan ahead: we can identify and measure the ash trees on your property before the next treatment season.
Is your ash worth saving?
A healthy, well-placed ash tree that shades a home or street is often worth protecting. Removing a large tree, replacing it, and losing its shade all have costs, and Maine’s treatment guide suggests weighing them.[5] A tree health assessment helps you decide which trees on your Kittery property are worth treating.
Want the full picture? Read our complete guide to emerald ash borer treatment in Southern Maine.
Emerald Ash Borer help near Kittery
Tree Medics is based in Biddeford and works throughout Southern Maine. We also offer emerald ash borer services in nearby towns:
See all tree care in Kittery.
Sources
- Maine Forest Service: EAB found in seven more Maine towns, with York and Cumberland counties under quarantine (2020)
- Maine Forest Service: Forest & shade tree conditions, August 2026
- Maine Public: Emerald ash borer infestation spreads to 7 Maine communities
- North Central IPM Center / Michigan State University: Insecticide options for protecting ash trees from emerald ash borer (E3075)
- Maine Forest Service: Ash treatment guide
